The Right Stuff

The number of years Keith and I have been married! Keith will soon hit the point in his life where he will have been married exactly half of his life. I am slightly (and only slightly) older than him, so that point for me will come about a year after his. 20 years of marriage is a long time, although many I know, my parents included, would say, “ah, you two are newlyweds!” [my folks have been married well over 6o years! Wow!]

If you have been married for any length of time, however, you realize by now that marriage takes work.

Work in our modern world looks a little different than it did for our grandparents.

Take farming for instance; it is hard work. My dad’s family has many farmers in their history.

Farming is tough and labor intensive.

Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

A little work by the farmer will produce little crop or “yield.” [a word the Lord keeps bringing back to me!] Harder work — planting generously, giving more — will yield generously.

Huh. I think this principal can be true for marriages. Generous sowing [or giving] in my marriage will produce generous yields [or fruit].

This week I want to invest in the right stuff — kindness, gentleness, self-control — with my husband and family. I am ready to “reap the rewards” of my investment.

Work proceeds the harvest. How is your work ethic? Are you investing in the right stuff?

God is there to help us; it is His Spirit who gives the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:16-25). He has given us this fruit to make us more like Him. Use the fruit He has given you to bless your husband. Your marriage will benefit generously.

Sowing the seeds with you,

Kim